KPK Designates Rejang Lebong Regent Fikri Thobari as Suspect in Project Bribery Case
Jakarta — The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has designated Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari as a suspect in connection with an alleged bribery case involving project kickbacks (ijon) for development projects under Rejang Lebong Regency for the 2025-2026 budget period.
The KPK also designated four other individuals as suspects: Hary Eko Purnomo, Head of the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Services Agency (PUPRPKP); Irsyad Satria Budiman from PT Statika Mitra Sarana; Edi Manggala from CV Manggala Utama; and Youki Yusdiantoro from CV Alpagker Abadi.
“Based on sufficient evidence in the alleged corruption case regarding receipt of project kickbacks (ijon) within the Rejang Lebong Regency Government, Bengkulu Province, the KPK is escalating this case to the investigation stage by designating five individuals as suspects,” said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu during a press conference at the Red and White Building in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
The case originated in early 2026 when several infrastructure projects were implemented by the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Services Agency in Rejang Lebong Regency, with a total budget of Rp91.13 billion.
In February 2026, Regent Fikri, Head of the PUPRPKP Hary Eko Purnomo, and a private party named B Daditama held a meeting at the Regent’s Official Residence. During this meeting, the parties allegedly discussed arranging or allocating contractors for infrastructure projects under the PUPRPKP for the 2026 financial year, including discussions regarding kickback fees (ijon) of approximately 10-15 per cent of the project value.
Following this, Regent Fikri sent a WhatsApp message to B Daditama requesting kickback fees from contractors appointed by the Regent, allegedly due to financial needs ahead of the Hari Raya Lebaran holiday.
According to Asep, a meeting of minds (mens rea) or agreement was subsequently reached between Regent Fikri and Head of the PUPRPKP Hary Eko with contractors for infrastructure project packages at the Rejang Lebong Regency PUPRPKP. The three contractors involved were Irsyad Satria Budiman of PT Statika Mitra Sarana; Edi Manggala of CV Manggala Utama; and Youki Yusdiantoro of CV Alpagker Abadi.
Initial kickback payments in the form of cash from the three contractors to Regent Fikri through intermediaries totalled Rp980 million. On 6 March 2026, Irsyad Satria Budiman from PT Statika Mitra Sarana transferred Rp400 million (13.3 per cent of a Rp3 billion road project value) through Santri Ghozali, an official at the PUPRPKP.